The lifespan of a tarantula spider can vary quite a bit depending on the species. Some tarantulas may live for only 5-10 years, while others can survive for 20 years or even longer in captivity. In the wild, the average lifespan is shorter due to environmental dangers and predators.
What are some typical lifespan ranges for tarantulas?
Here are some general lifespan estimates for common tarantula species:
- Mexican Redknee Tarantula: 5-10 years
- Chilean Rose Tarantula: 15-20 years
- Brazilian Black Tarantula: 10-15 years
- Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula: 10-15 years
- Pinktoe Tarantula: 15-20 years
The Chilean rose tarantula and the pinktoe tarantula are among the longest living tarantula species, often surviving 15-20 years or more with proper care. The Mexican redknee and Brazilian black have shorter captive lifespans of around 10-15 years.
What factors influence a tarantula’s lifespan?
There are several key factors that affect how long a pet tarantula lives:
- Species: Some tarantula species tend to live longer than others. Larger species from South America, like the Chilean rose, often exceed 15-20 years, while smaller tarantulas have shorter natural lifespans of 5-10 years.
- Gender: Female tarantulas often outlive males. Males may only live 5-10 years due to their shorter maturation period, while females can survive double that in captivity.
- Environment: Tarantulas kept as pets in climate-controlled homes tend to live longer than wild tarantulas exposed to harsh conditions, predators, and lack of food/water.
- Care: A tarantula’s lifespan relies heavily on the owner providing proper husbandry. Good hydration, adequate food, suitable habitat, and attentive medical care leads to longer lifespans.
- Molting Issues: Problems during molting can shorten a tarantula’s life. Failed molts prevent growth and lead to health complications.
In essence, the species, sex, captive environment, quality of care, and successful molting are the most important determinants of a pet tarantula’s potential longevity.
How long do male vs. female tarantulas live?
Male and female tarantulas have quite different average lifespans in captivity:
- Male: 5-10 years on average
- Female: 15-25 years on average
Why do female tarantulas significantly outlive males? There are a few reasons:
- Females take 5-7 years to reach sexual maturity, while males mature in only 1-2 years. The delayed maturation extends the female lifespan.
- Male tarantulas have a naturally shorter lifespan after reaching adulthood. Their primary purpose is breeding, while females must live longer to lay eggs.
- The process of mating lowers male longevity. Male tarantulas often die within a few months after breeding.
In captivity, the lifespan difference between sexes is very apparent. Male tarantulas should be expected to live no longer than 10 years in most cases, while female lifespans of 20 years or longer are common.
Does molting affect tarantula lifespan?
Yes, molting is hugely impactful on a tarantula’s lifespan. Tarantulas must periodically shed their exoskeletons through molting in order to grow. Molting allows them to increase body size, renew damaged limbs/organs, and extend lifespan.
During each molt, the tarantula forms a new soft exoskeleton under its old one. It then sheds the old shell and expands its new one. As tarantulas age, molting becomes increasingly difficult and eventually impossible once maturity is reached.
Issues during molting are a major threat to longevity. If a tarantula gets stuck in its old exoskeleton, loses limbs, or injures itself during the process, it can face irreparable damage and even death. Therefore, a tarantula’s ability to successfully molt impacts its health and lifespan.
On average, young tarantulas may molt once every 6 months, while adults only molt once every 2-6 years. Most species undergo 5-10 molts before reaching maturity and stop molting when their lifespan ends.
Typical molting schedule by age
- Spiderling: Every 2-4 months
- Juvenile: Every 4-6 months
- Subadult: Every 1-2 years
- Adult: Every 2-6 years until death
How long do pet tarantulas live in captivity?
The average lifespan of a pet tarantula kept in captivity is:
- Male tarantulas: 5-10 years
- Female tarantulas: 15-25+ years
Captive tarantulas tend to far exceed the lifespans of wild tarantulas, which face constant environmental threats and predators. As pets, tarantulas live protected indoors with regulated humidity/temperature, regular feeding, medical care, and safety from predators.
Not all captive tarantulas reach their maximum lifespan potential. Factors like poor husbandry, injuries/illness, and unsuccessful molting can shorten even a pet tarantula’s life. However, regular attentive care from a responsible owner allows pet tarantulas to survive their full lifespans.
Tips for maximizing pet tarantula lifespan
- Choose larger, longer-lived species like Chilean rose or pinktoe tarantulas
- Acquire captive-bred specimens from reputable breeders
- House tarantula properly with adequate enclosure size
- Maintain ideal temperature and humidity in enclosure
- Feed nutritious prey insects regularly
- Provide fresh water supply at all times
- Clean enclosure regularly to prevent mold/bacteria
- Avoid injury risks – secure lids, don’t drop tarantula
- Monitor for signs of illness and treat appropriately
- Allow time for safe molting in isolation
How long do tarantulas live in the wild?
Tarantulas have much shorter lifespans in the wild compared to captivity. Wild tarantulas face constant threats from:
- Predators: Birds, lizards, snakes, mammals
- Parasites/disease
- Harsh environmental conditions
- Limited food/water sources
- Risks during vulnerable molting periods
While female tarantulas may live 10+ years in captivity, their average wild lifespan is only 3-6 years for most species. Males have even shorter wild lifespans, often just 1-2 years on average after reaching maturity.
The high mortality rates of male tarantulas after breeding helps limit lifespan in the wild. Female tarantulas must avoid predators during lengthy periods caring for egg sacs and spiderlings, which also lowers lifespan.
The exceptional longevity of 20+ years seen in captive tarantulas is simply not possible for wild specimens facing constant threats. Only in very rare cases would a wild female tarantula survive beyond 10 years.
Does the tarantula’s geographic location affect lifespan?
Yes, a tarantula species’ natural geographic range can impact average lifespan expectations both in the wild and captivity:
- Asia: Tarantulas native to Asia like the pinktoe tend to be longer-lived, with captive lifespans often reaching 20+ years.
- Africa: African species vary, but many live 10-15 years in captivity. The cobalt blue tarantula is one long-lived African species.
- Americas: Tarantulas from the Americas range in size and lifespan. Small species live under 10 years, while large Grammostola tarantulas can live 15-20+ years.
- Australia: Australian species like the whistling tarantula generally have shorter captive lifespans of only 5-10 years.
These lifespan patterns coincide with the levels of risk, food availability, and suitable climate conditions for tarantulas in each region. Tarantulas from Asia and the Americas tend to live longer both in the wild and captivity compared to those from Australia and Africa.
Do male or female tarantulas live longer?
Female tarantulas significantly outlive males. Here are the key reasons why:
- Females reach maturity later at 5-7 years old, while males mature at only 1-2 years old
- Males have a naturally shorter post-maturity lifespan even with ideal care
- Mating reduces male longevity, as males often die shortly after breeding
- Females must live longer to lay and care for multiple egg sacs
In captivity, the average lifespan difference is very pronounced:
- Male tarantulas live 5-10 years on average
- Female tarantulas live 15-25+ years on average
For nearly all tarantula species, the female lifespan exceeds the male’s by 5-15 years or more. This significant longevity advantage makes female tarantulas the longer-lived sex by far.
Do tarantula lifespans vary by species?
Yes, tarantula species can vary greatly in their average captive lifespans:
| Species | Average Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Chilean Rose | 15-20 years |
| Mexican Redknee | 5-10 years |
| Pinktoe | 15-20+ years |
| Costa Rican Zebra | 10-15 years |
| Brazilian Black | 10-15 years |
| Cobalt Blue | 15-20 years |
Larger species from South America, Asia, and Africa tend to live longer captive lifespans on average. The Chilean rose, pinktoe, and cobalt blue can all exceed 15-20 years.
Smaller tarantulas like the Mexican redknee have shorter natural lifespans of only 5-10 years. However, any tarantula’s lifespan relies heavily on husbandry and medical care.
What is the record for longest living tarantula?
According to documented records, the longest living pet tarantula reached an exceptional age of nearly 30 years:
- Species: Female Chilean rose tarantula
- Age: 28 years and 3 months
- Owner: Stan Schultz of Missouri, USA
This remarkably long-lived pet tarantula was acquired by Schultz in March 1972 at an estimated 1-2 years old. With attentive lifetime care, she survived over 28 years until finally dying of old age in June 2000.
Such exceptional longevity is extremely rare even in captivity. However, it shows the impressive lifespan capabilities of female tarantulas from long-lived species when given near ideal care throughout life.
Conclusion
A tarantula’s lifespan is heavily dependent on its species, sex, habitat, molting success, and care. Smaller male tarantulas generally live 5-10 years, while larger females often exceed 15-20 years in captivity and can potentially reach 30 years. Harsher wild habitats dramatically reduce tarantula lifespans to just 3-6 years on average. With proper food, humidity, housing, and handling, pet tarantulas can achieve their full lifespan potentials.
